In Shanghai, preparations for the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) are in full swing, as the world's first import-themed national-level expo is only one month away.

It has been a bumpy year for many global companies as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world economy. Yet, foreign firms' passion for the upcoming CIIE was not hindered by the pandemic. The event's business exhibition area will expand to 360,000 square meters from last year's 300,000 square meters to cope with foreign exhibitors' demand.